A Tradition Continues

Mrs. Beaver:

We made Christmas cookies today!

Now to most people baking cookies may seem like a given this time of year. But when you've added three children to the family less than three weeks ago, and you don't speak the same language, even what would usually be the "norm" can seem insurmountable. However, God showered us with His grace, and we shared many laughs. All but one batch of the cookies even turned out!

 Daria was amazed at all the ingredients the cookie-making process was going to take.

Alexander and Speedy put their muscles to work stirred up a giant bowl of Monster Cookies.

Little Oksansa wasn't there for the whole production because she and Tessa ran to Wal-Mart to get the ingredients we inevitably lacked. Tessa said Oksansa was as good as gold her first time in the massive store. Part way through the trip, Oksana did start to say that she wanted me. Anyone who has adopted older children knows that its' a great sign that bonding is beginning when you're wanted like that. Thank you, Lord!

Tatiana and Natasha tackled our traditional truffles. I wish I'd thought to get a photo of them; they turned out beautifully, just like in the picture below.

An important part of our traditional Christmas cookie making morning is to make "Tiger Butter," which really is a marbled candy made of chocolate and peanut butter. Tiger Butter tastes a lot like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Yum!

Lissie showed Daria the basics and Daria quickly showed herself to be an artiste at the marbling!

I'm grateful to God that despite the huge change to our family, He granted us the grace to be able to continue an important and FUN tradition! I really wasn't sure we'd be able to manage the chaos of twelve children, several different recipes being made simultaneously, two languages and a tired mom overseeing it all!